Stamp of Approval

Submit your 10 picks for a series of U.S. postal stamps that honor American Racing Heroes.

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Racing has been a part of the social fabric of America nearly as long as the automobile has been in existence — the first contest being held in Chicago in 1896. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, although its signature event, the Indy 500, won't celebrate its centennial until 2011. There must be a way to honor the people who have contributed to the sport's legacy. What better way to do this than a commemorative series of U.S. postal stamps? After all, there have been stamps honoring athletes, inventors and entertainers. Motorsports, which blends man, machine and competition, has produced heroes who are all three.

According to the selection guidelines for stamp subjects, the general policy is to consider American or American-related topics, and only events, persons and themes of widespread national appeal and significance are to be considered for commemoration. Stamps honoring American racing heroes certainly would fit the bill although the rules do not allow any living drivers to be honored. Typically, commemoratives are approved years in advance to allow time for the stamp artwork to be commissioned and approved. These programs are already in place for 2009 and 2010, so a 2011 series in time for the Indy 500 centennial might still be possible.

This will be sent to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee asking that a full commemorative set of stamps honoring American Racing Heroes be issued. Here, we've provided a list of potential honorees. So choose your favorite 10, and after we tally the votes we'll send our in July to the committee. Let's hope for the best.

American Racing Heroes – Commemorative Stamp Collection

Select your top 10 American racing personalities for a series of U.S. postal stamps that honor American Racing Heroes:

1.

Davey Allison

21.

Rex Mays

2.

Tony Bettenhausen

22.

Louis Meyer

3.

Neil Bonnett

23.

Harry Miller

4.

Jimmy Bryan

24.

Tommy Milton

5.

Briggs Cunningham

25.

Jimmy Murphy

6.

Ralph DePalma

26.

Barney Oldfield

7.

Pete DePaolo

27.

Wally Parks

8.

Mark Donohue

28.

Lee Petty

9.

Dale Earnhardt Sr.

29.

Peter Revson

10.

Tim Flock

30.

Eddie Rickenbacker

11.

Bill France Sr.

31.

Glenn "Fireball" Roberts

12.

Richie Ginther

32.

Mauri Rosel

13.

Peter Gregg

33.

Harry Schell

14.

Masten Gregory

34.

Wendell Scott

15.

Walt Hansgen

35.

Wilbur Shaw

16.

Sam Hanks

36.

Betty Skelton

17.

Ray Harroun

37.

Mickey Thompson

18.

Phil Hill

38.

Bill Vukovich

19.

Ted Horn

39.

Rodger Ward

20.

Frank Kurtis

40.

Smokey Yunick

21.

Frank Lockhart

* Note: One of the stipulations set forth by the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee is that no person, other than a president, may have a stamp issued within five years of their death or while they are living.